5% GST on kilns leads to hike in brick prices

KAPURTHALA: The 5% goods and service tax( G ST) imposed on the brick-kiln industry has led to hike in rate of bricks, making it difficult for common man to reali se his dream of building a house. In Do a ba, the average rate of 1,000 bricks is between ₹ 4,000 and ₹ 4,500.

This is the biggest annual increase in rates. Presently, second-class bricks are available from ₹ 2,700 to ₹ 3,000 per 1,000 bricks with the rates of the variety being between ₹2,000 and ₹ 2,300 last year. As per state brickkiln association, the rate is the highest in Jalandhar (₹ 4,300-₹ 4,500), followed by Kapurthala (₹ 4,000 to ₹4,200), and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (₹4,000 to ₹4,300) and Hoshiarpur (₹4,200-₹4,400). In Moga district, too, the rates have reached ₹4,000.

The shortage of labour is also a reason behind the hike .

“Labourers are not available even at good rates. Workers are skilled and don’t settle for less. The GST has also led to higher labour rates ,” says Bald ev Singh, a brick manufacturer .The rates of clay have also doubled in two years, he says.